1906 S.F. earthquake anniversary ceremonies planned

The 108th anniversary of the catastrophic 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire will be noted Friday with a series of downtown events planned to begin before dawn.

Lotta’s Fountain was draped with ceremonial ribbons at the 2013 commemoration of the 1906 quake / Chronicle Photo by Paul Chinn

The ceremonies are held in the same fashion every year, but this time may not include a living survivor of the disaster. The two known survivors, aged 112 and 108, have said they don’t feel strong enough to attend.
Last year’s ceremonies were the first to not feature a living survivor on hand.

Here are the planned activities:
— 5:00 a.m. at Lotta’s Fountain at Geary, Kearny and Market streets.: Main ceremony commemorating the 1906 fire and earthquake. Also, laying of a wreath honoring Leo Sapienza, last president of the old-time South of Market Boys.
— 5:11 a.m., at Lotta’s Fountain: Sirens sound at the moment the quake struck. .
— 5:40 to 6:00 a.m., 20th and Church streets: Painting of the gold fire hydrant that stopped the spread of the big fire in 1906.
— 5:30 to 11 a.m., Lefty O’Doul’s, 333 Geary St: Bloody Mary breakfast honoring earthquake survivors.

The ceremonies are free and open to the public. Menu rates apply for the Lefty O’Doul’s breakfast.